TEST
Narrated by Natalie Ross and Phil Gigante
NOTE: Review contains spoilers for the Fever series.
Following on very shortly after the events of Shadowfever, Iced picks up the story from Dani “Mega” O’Malley’s point of view. Dani is 14 and it shows. She’s overconfident, brash, immature, and generally annoying. But Mac in Darkfever was annoying and simpering at first and look what happened to her?
If you haven’t read the Fever series, don’t start here. I enjoyed the series quite a bit and recommend the audios but if you try and start the series from here, all you’ll get is a big pile of confusion.
The Sinsar Dubh in the form of Cruce has been imprisoned below the Sidhe Seers Abbey (which is now overseen by Kat). Dani is hiding from Mac who knows her part in Alina’s death and is feeling fairly sorry for herself about the loss of her friend. Dancer (a man with a big secret, I’m convinced), Ryodan, and Christian MacKeltar (who is turning into an Unseelie Prince aka Death-by-Sex Fae and blames Mac for it) – all, one way or another, have a fascination with Dani but it is Christian whose motives are the most clear – he is waiting for her to grow old enough to be his woman (which, frankly, is a little, ew). Ryodan and Dancer’s designs on Dani are less obvious. Perhaps Dancer just wants to be Dani’s friend. Sure. I do think that Ryodan’s motivations aren’t the expected. But I could be wrong about that.
Something is icing parts of Dublin – instant freeze and everyone dies – and then the crystals suddenly explode. Ryodan ropes Dani into helping him investigate and Dancer and Christian are brought in because they are in Dani’s orbit.
There are some sections from Kat’s POV, who is having her own difficulties with Cruce under the Abbey and from Christian’s as well. I’ve seen reviews of the print version complaining that it was difficult to determine the POV at times. But in audio, it is clear. Phil Gigante performs all the male voices and they are distinctly different (although I did expect Dancer to sound nerdier) and Natalie Ross’s voices for the various female characters are as well. When Kat’s POV appears, it is obviously not Dani so it is easy to shift gears.
Dani is annoying and I had to listen in small bites until about the 2/3rds mark where the story really picked up and she began to show evidence of growth (she has a lot more to go). There is a bit of squealing and overuse of “Gah” and some of Dani’s verbal explosions were hard on my ears. When the general narrative states that a male character laughs, Phil Gigante laughs, then speaks. That, I’m afraid, is a pet peeve of mine.
In terms of portraying Dani as the annoying 14-year-old she is, Natalie Ross is exceptional. And Phil Gigante knows this world very well and his voices are just wonderful.
Some people have been squicked out by the interest of three adult (well, Dancer is 17) males in Dani but there really isn’t any romance for her inIced. There is a skerrick of romance for Ryodan and Jo and for Kat and her Sean as well, but it’s straight up urban fantasy for this story, so don’t expect any huge romance.
I didn’t love Iced. I found it difficult to get into. But, the last part of the story made me excited for the next installment and I’m looking forward to seeing what Ms. Moning does with Dani as she grows up.
Breakdown of Grade – Narration: C+ and Book Content: B-
Grade: C+
Book Type: Audiobook
Sensuality: Subtle
Review Date: 08/01/13
Publication Date: 2012/10
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.